"Newsom issued the order on July 25, 2024. In both May and June of that year, Caltrans cleared more than 850 encampments, according to the data obtained by this news organization. In July, the number fell to 563. By November, it was just 300. Neither the governor's office nor Caltrans provided more recent statewide numbers. The Bay Area News Group filed an initial public records request in December last year, but received the data in late September."
"Newsom's office attributed the drop-off to the support the state has provided local governments to create effective programs addressing the housing and homelessness crisis. It also pointed to recent agreements with cities to allow local crews to clear camps on state property. There may simply be fewer encampments to clean up on state-rights-of way, his office said in a statement."
"Caroline Grinder, legislative advocate with the League of California Cities, which represents most of the state's 482 cities, said 40% of surveyed cities indicated coordinating with state agencies was a barrier to addressing encampments. The Governor's executive order on encampments has shown some results, but a more coordinated effort with the state is required if we are to make more measurable progress and humanely address the needs of our residents, Grinder said."
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive directive on July 25, 2024 ordering California agencies to urgently close homeless encampments on state property. Caltrans cleared more than 850 encampments in both May and June 2024, then fell to 563 in July and 300 by November. State officials attributed the decline to support for local programs, agreements allowing city crews to clear state property, and possibly fewer encampments on state rights-of-way. A League of California Cities survey found 40% of cities identified coordination with state agencies as a barrier to addressing encampments. Cities report commitment but face delays.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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